Gift Certificates are available
For those who want to continue and become a skipper, the Sail Canada Basic Cruising certification path is available.
The Sail Canada Basic Cruising Standard is the next step for students who want to become competent day sailors and learn to skipper a cruising sailboat. During this course, you will develop the knowledge and practical skills required to safely operate a keelboat under both sail and power in light to moderate conditions.
You will learn boat handling under power, docking and undocking, sail trim, points of sail, crew management, safety procedures, collision avoidance rules, weather interpretation, and the fundamentals of navigation. Training includes extensive hands-on practice on the water, allowing you to gain confidence as both crew and skipper.
The course is taught aboard a Government of Canada-certified teaching vessel by an experienced Sail Canada instructor. Practical training takes place primarily in Toronto Harbour and on Lake Ontario.
Upon successful completion of the practical and written evaluations, students are eligible to receive Sail Canada Basic Cruising certification.
If you have little or no sailing experience, we recommend completing the Sail Canada Start Keelboat Standard before enrolling in this course.
Course ObjectiveTo develop the skills and knowledge required to safely skipper and crew a cruising keelboat in familiar waters during daylight hours in moderate weather conditions.
You can acquire a Restricted Operators Certificate (Maritime) with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) endorsement by completing an extra 6 hours of class and paying only $150 (full price is $198).
A Government Pleasure Craft Operator Card can be issued with no additional exam.
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites. However, previous sailing experience or completion of the Sail Canada Start Keelboat Standard is strongly recommended.
Group size and duration
Groups of 2 to 4 people will complete this course. Basic Cruising Standard course is 28 hours of instruction, including 18 hours of coached sailing, 7 hours of sailing theory, and a 3-hour written exam and review.
Materials and exams
We will use the Sail Canada textbook “Basic Cruising Skills” by Gillian West. Your time sailing will culminate in one practical sailing exam and one in-class written exam. If you would like the learning materials mailed to you, please send your mailing address.
Price
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- $940 per person
- I strongly encourage you to buy a copy of the Sail Canada textbook “Basic Cruising Skills” from the online store:
https://ontariosailing.ca/product/basic-cruising-skills-manual/
With this book, your learning process will be easier and more efficient. - Sail Canada certification only if you pass all the tests and exams – $47 incl. HST.
- After successfully passing the theory exam, students can get a Pleasure Craft Operator Card with no additional test. The price is $25.
- You can acquire a VHF Radio Operator’s license by completing an extra 6 hours of class and paying only $150 (full price is $198).
- Students in the Basic Cruising course may study together with students in the Start Keelboat Sailing course in mixed groups.
Schedule
Because space is limited during the summer months, please register early.
To confirm your registration and reserve your time, please transfer 50% of the price per person by Interac transfer to alexeip1@yahoo.ca. The remaining part of the fee is due on the course start date.